Baseball: Higginbotham outduels Buckel
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The pro scouts were out in force Friday to watch Simi Valley Royal pitcher Cody Buckel, who delivered a strong performance, retiring the final 16 batters in order. He struck out six, walked none and allowed two hits.
But Moorpark junior Matt Higginbotham was up for the challenge, beating Buckel, 2-1. Higginbotham struck out eight, walked one and allowed two hits. Moorpark scored two unearned runs in the first inning thanks to three Royal errors. Justin Greco had an RBI double for Royal.
Royal (21-6, 11-2) still has a one-game Marmonte League lead over Moorpark (19-8, 10-3) with one game to play. Westlake defeated Agoura, 10-8. Christian Yelich hit a home run and Tim Wise had a double and two RBIs.
In the Mission League, Chaminade (23-4) won for the 19th time in its last 20 games with a 6-2 victory over Sherman Oaks Notre Dame. Brando Tessar (8-0)struck out nine. Dylan Delaney and Jimmy Jauregue each had two hits. Encino Crespi defeated North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake, 9-4. Kevin Williams had three hits and three RBIs. Los Angeles Loyola defeated La Canada St. Francis, 6-5.
In the Foothill League, Valencia West Ranch defeated Newhall Hart, 10-7. Jared Ortizhad three hits and extended his hitting streak to 24 games. Valencia defeated Saugus, 19-12. Valencia led, 12-2. Saugus tied it, 12-12. Valencia scored seven runs in the sixth. Brian Mundell had a grand slam.
In the Suburban League, Mike Piazza had a bases-loaded walk-off single to lift La Mirada (19-8, 9-1) past Cerritos, 5-4. La Mirada has won 16 of its last 17 games.
In the Olympic League, Whittier Christian (15-9) defeated Van Nuys Montclair Prep, 12-10. It was the second loss this week by the Mounties to Whittier Christian.
In the Camino Real League, L.A. Cathedral (21-3, 12-1) won its 12th consecutive game, a 10-6 victory over St. Bernard. Timmy Shiba, Jaime Figueroa and Brian Orozco had two hits each.
In the Tri-Valley League, Travis Radkestruck out 15 and threw a no-hitter as Westlake Village Oaks Christian defeated Carpinteria, 6-0.
-- Eric Sondheimer